Question

What act of U.S. expansion was the direct result of Matthew Perry's naval journey to Japan ?

Answer 1

In 1853 he demanded that Japan open its ports to American merchants.

Explanation:

The First Visit to Japan

Commodore Matthew Perry’s first visited Japan on July 8th, 1853. He went to the Japanese capital, Edo (now Tokyo), and made demands. He demanded that ports be opened to Americans, that prisoners be treated well and given back, etc. The Japanese rejected his demands and Perry withdrew from Japan knowing he would return.

Answer 2

Answer: The US took possession of of the Midway Islands.

Step-by-step explanation:

Matthew Perry was a US Commodore who led a formation of American warships to Japan hoping to establish an open trade relationship between the two countries. Since Japan was deeply delayed on technology development, the negotiation achieved a peace treaty for open trade. This event was a significant precedent in America's expansion. By 1867, the US had come to possess the Midway Islands, and later treaties (1875 and 1887) developed trade with the Hawaiian Islands and obtained approval to construct a naval base in Pearl Harbor.